19-bill package against human trafficking unveiled in Troy

A 19-bill package of legislation against human trafficking severely increases penalties for offenders and strengthens help for victims.

The legislation was highlighted by a news conference in Troy Friday afternoon. A similar event was held in Lansing last week.

Lawmakers say human trafficking is the world's second-largest and fastest-growing criminal industry. In Michigan, it is estimated that every month up to 150 girls under the age of 18 are sold into the world of sex trafficking.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has formed his own task force to tackle trafficking, and Sen. Judy K. Emmons, a Sheridan Republican, is the point person for the effort in the Michigan Senate, where she chairs the Families, Seniors and Human Services Committee.

Here's a summary of the 19 bills in the proposed package provided through Emmons' office:
Affirmative Defense — Would allow a victim of human trafficking to introduce evidence of being a victim of trafficking as a defense to certain types of crimes.

Adult Entertainment Business Customer Fee — Would require the business to pay a $3 fee for each customer who enters. The fee money (at the moment) is deposited into the domestic violence and sexual assault fund.

Municipality Ordinances for Adult Entertainers — Would allow municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring anyone working at an adult entertainment business to obtain a permit from the municipality. Some requirements for the permit would include background check.

Creation of Human Trafficking Board — Would establish a human trafficking board to ensure that the issue is taken seriously and continuously, and to allow the board to apply for federal grants.
Eliminating Statute of Limitations — Eliminate the statute of limitations for trafficking offenses and commercial sexual exploitation of children offenses.

Prohibit Use of the Internet to Solicit a Minor — Michigan does not expressly criminalize the use of the Internet to lure, entice, recruit, or purchase commercial sex acts with a minor. However, the use of the Internet to communicate with a minor while intending to commit, or attempting to commit a violation of specified sexual offense laws is illegal. Specifically prohibiting the use of the Internet to lure, entice, recruit or sell commercial sex acts with a minor as a separate crime adds another penalty for traffickers.

Additions to grounds for termination of parental rights — Include offenses including sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation of children offenses in order to remove the children of traffickers from their control and potential exploitation.

Racketeering — Would add another provision of a commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) offense-enticing a female away under 18 years of age (MCL 750.13) to the racketeering definition.
Require "Johns" to Register on the Sex Offender Registry — Requiring the purchasers of sex to register on the sex offender registry

Safe Harbor — Increases the minimum age from 16 to 18 for prostitution-related crimes and prohibits local units of government from enacting ordinances that establish lower minimum ages. A police officer must immediately take into custody if they believe the person committing prostitution is less than 18 years old. The court then can determine if the individual is a victim of human trafficking and refer them to DHS for services.

Safe Harbor Probate Court — Probate court would have jurisdiction and continued jurisdiction concerning a juvenile less than 18 years of age found to be violating sections in the prostitution chapter.

Safe Harbor Department of Human Services — DHS shall perform assessment/psychological evaluation and medical examination when the juvenile is referred to the department. In addition to any reunification, adoption or other services provided to a child under DHS' care counseling services appropriate for the victim.

Criminal Convictions Cleared — Would allow individuals to apply to have their criminal convictions cleared from their record if the offense was committed due to their status as a victim of a human trafficking violation.

Allow Victims to Sue Captors — To be known as the 'Human trafficking victims compensation act', it would allow victims to sue their captors for damages that result from physical and mental suffering, damage and destruction of property and expenses incurred.
Medical and Psychological Treatment for Victims — Expands the social welfare act to include victims of human trafficking on the list of potential recipients for medical assistance benefits and psychological treatment.

Modify Victim Status for Foster Care Minors who are Human Trafficking Victims — Would allow DHS to use a different status for children who are victims of human trafficking in order to provide them with additional services or to give special consideration that traditional foster care services may not be suitable for the victim.

Training for Medical Professionals — Would require medical professionals be trained to identify the signs of human trafficking in patients.

Wire Tapping — Two bills would allow a prosecutor to utilize wire tapping.
Contact Charles Crumm at 248-745-4649, charlie.crumm@oakpress.com or follow him on Twitter @crummc and on Facebook. More information is at oaklandmichiganpolitics.blogspot.com. Keep up with the latest in local news by texting OPNews to 22700. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.